What salary do you guys live off of alone in Oahu?

Aside from rent, food, and gas (and you should be able to calculate that on your own), the rest goes towards whatever else you want to do. My question is what are your intentions for moving to Oahu? One of the things you mention is “nightlife”. If you’re in that young mode of living, you’re probably going to be disappointed. Oahu’s “scene” is built around networks of longterm friends.

Are you someone who is going to fit into a local group? If not, you’ll probably end up on the margins like so many other transplants. I’ll tell you right now, they aren’t happy. And they’re out on Oahu processing the adage: “Wherever you go, there you are.” Let that sink in.

Having said that, your remaining expenses really will turn on what activities you do. You don’t mention a job or a career. If your parents are going to support you, then they’ll probably be pretty pissed if you don’t find a job eventually. To land a $100K job in Hawaii is a pipe dream that many locals with college degrees are struggling to find themselves. A “good” salary on Oahu is in the $50-70K range. That’s pre-tax of course.

My overall advice is: you better be prepared to scale back virtually all of your expectations outside of the nature that Oahu provides. The happiest people here are typically extreme minimalists (or ultra wealthy - think multi-multi-multi-millionaires). If you’re making under $70K, you will struggle. That’s just how it is here.

My question for you would be: why Hawaii? Why not San Diego or somewhere like that? (I’ve lived in SD too. And it’s a struggle there too, but nothing like Oahu.)

/r/Hawaii Thread